Exclusive Preview: Batman #21 "The Button" Part One

Last year, DC changed their comic continuity with Rebirth. The one-shot issue brought the characters back to their core, while alluding that something or someone more powerful was behind the alteration to the universe: Doctor Manhattan from the critically acclaimed book Watchmen.

Now, DC is giving readers some answers to the questions that have been plaguing their minds since last May. The Batman/Flash crossover story The Button kicks off in Batman #21.

Batman and The Flash team up to learn more about the mysterious button--once owned by The Comedian--which is embedded in the walls of the Batcave. However, Reverse Flash is also a part of this mystery, as seen in the preview above.

DC has been tight-lipped about the four-part crossover, which will take place in Batman #21-22 and Flash #21-22. The publisher released a solicitation for the story but nothing else: "What starts as a simple investigation turns deadly when the secrets of the button prove irresistible to an unwelcome third party—and it's not who anyone suspects. It's a mystery woven through time, and the ticking clock starts here!"

Writer Tom King will continue his run on Batman with artist Jason Fabok and colorist Brad Anderson for the upcoming story. Batman #21 will go on sale on Wednesday, April 19 available at comic shops and digitally.

Yes! I'm excited.

Eobard, ruining father/son bonds then, now and forever.

Okay.... I'm on board.

Eobard is my favorite

Definitely getting this, hyped.

Love Fabok's Batman.

Eobard is cold yo.

Fabok's art is always top notch.

Damn, I most definitely did not expect this. I am actually looking forward to this issue, it was actually a pretty good preview, but as I know King - offers a good preview but after the first few pages it all falls apart.

Was gonna get this regardless, Fabok is my new favourite artist. But this, this has me hyyyyped.

Yet another nail in the Flashpoint coffin

D*mn you, Thawne.

Let me guess, Eobard is working for Manhattan?

Eobard just remembered his death in Flashpoint.

Man it has been a long time since I've felt like a comic story really mattered. This truly feels like a progression in the story that is DC

It's also nice to read a comic event (ok this is more like a crossover prelude to an event) that feels like it's earned and matters (I know I know, it's not cool to sh!t on Marvel while appreciating a DC book, especially since they seem like they may get better, but I just can't help but think about all of their meaningless poorly done events)

It's also nice since we don't have Johns on Justice League anymore, which really felt like a book about the important things that were happening in the DCU, as well as being a high quality book.

Oh, also can't express how happy I am to see the main Batman book crossover with another Justice League member. I always hate it when DC treats Batman like he's in his own separate "realistic" universe, too good to mix with the League unless he's talking down to them.

Is King the writer for the entire 4-part story or just the Batman issues?

I know its just a comic, but watching Thawne rip up Batman's letter from his dad pissed me off a little. Lol. Hope they finally kill Thawne once and for all, prick.

@aros001: The latter

I haven't even read (not planning to) the scans and I'm already hyped.

Omg. King pls don't disappoint me.

This looks really, really interesting but... Another continuity reboot? Sorry. I just don't have the money to go through yet another reboot. Between marvel heroes going evil all the time and DC not being able to decide on it's own characters history I've just lost a lot of interest in both companies. Since the story is probably going to be obsolete in a year or two I'm going to wait. I hope it's good and I'll read the reviews, but that'll be about it. Besides it looks like they are going into that Flashpoint reality where Diana put a spear through Billy Batson's chest and (much like Deathstroke putting a spear through Phantom Lady's chest) that's just not a moment I want to see again.

Oh. But it will be cool if he was working for Manhattan.

I second this. Man It looks really good and I really love the use of the timer, to show how tense the situation really is. Batman has to last 1 minute against Eobard.

Thomas: Bruce?

Bruce: Father?

Terry: Bruce?

Bruce : Son?

Thomas: Grandson?

Bruce: Son

Thomans: Bruce?

Terry: Grandpa?

Bruce: FATHER?

Terry: Father?

Thomas: BRUCE?

Terry: Batman!

Thomas: BATMAN!

Bruce: BATMAN!

aaand that's why you should leave the timelines alone.

Batman has to fight Reverse Flash for 30 seconds?

@tparks: He might as well be fighting for 30 minutes.

@captainmarvel4ever: I could not agree with you more about everything you said

Great preview and Fabok's art is as awesome as ever... really wish he was illustrating the whole crossover like I wish he could have done all six issues of JL vs. SS

Batman is going to stomp

That 9-Panel Grid tho

Also, I love the way Fabok draws Flash. Just get rid of the dumb Jim Lee lines and he'd be perfect

@maddpanda531 said:

I like the "lines" (I think creases, or junctions work better) they add symmetry and dimension

poor Eobard

Eh, I've just never been a fan. Busies up already perfect designs imo. One of the worst parts of New 52 for me was that Jim Lee designed everything and he just put random lines on everything. I'm glad a lot of character designs dropped them with Rebirth.

Though I suppose I'm biased because I think the classic spandex designs are perfect, as is.

This is gonna be a fast paced story and I like it!

This looks awesome! Too bad only a 4-issue arc, wonder what'll happen next..
The whole Flashpoint/Watchmen correlation is super intriguing

Bring it! Can't wait!

oh look.....DC is doing another cosmic level event.....and this time they've even brought "God" into it since they've basically run through every other way to showcase uber dimensionally beings outside mortal comprehension who must rely upon or be beaten by mortals

Yawn

Call me when the reboots complete and we get a sense of what books will actually be interesting going forward

and before everyone goes the direction of "Marvel fanboy out for a troll".....no, the whole Incursions->Beyonders->God Doom->Civil War 2 and everything in-between was a snooze fest as well......cause its all been overcooked, frozen, renuked, and pushed at the consumer too many times to be considered interesting or groundbreaking.

Its this kind of unnecessary hype that makes me think more and more western comics would be better adopting a more manga approach so we can get, at least, a consistent refresh of characters and settings....even in familiar story troupes.....vice trying struggle through keeping the same characters going time and again.

I'm looking forward to because I've missed Thawne but King's writing has been really hit or miss

@ltbrd: Dude, chill. It's a 4 issues story. And how did you get God being in it?

That would probably kill the western comics industry. It really sounds like you should just stick with Manga.

Eobard, will ya PLEASE just die already?

So help me out here - is Flash's base universe of Flashpoint the Rebirth, New 52, or Original continuity? Just trying to figure out why Rebirth Batman has the letter from Flashpoint. Is it because Rebirth is essentially a combination of New 52 and the Original universes?

Rebirth is pretty much a continuation of the New 52 universe, which is slowly being revealed to be something of a continuation of the original universe.

Upon further fanboy introspection, I'm not sure how I feel about Bruce Wayne Batman meeting Thomas Wayne Batman.

It'd be cool to see, but I feel like it'd take away some of the tragedy of Flashpoint Batman and how he never got to see Bruce or the world he lives in. Thomas Wayne's death in Flashpoint was, in my mind, absolutely perfect, and I hope King can write this story without negating that emotion.

@black_arrow: Let's hope for the best, let's hope that since King isn't writing this on his own it might be better than what we've previously seen from him. I really want this to be good because just look at Fabok's interiors - incredible!

Nope, he is writing alongside with Joshua Williamson, the Flash's writer.

@maddpanda531:

Busies up already perfect designs imo.

I don't think any design is perf... well maybe Captain Marvel's :3

One of the worst parts of New 52 for me was that Jim Lee designed everything and he just put random lines on everything.

I love those designs, I still have a very vivid image in my head of seeing them for the first time, having a real stunned emotional reaction, and that being the moment I wanted to get into comics

Plus the lines add symmetry. If you've ever seen some of the videos of him talking about artwork, Lee puts a lot of emphasis on using mathematic aesthetics into his artwork. Which I like since I feel good art should be more than just talent.

Though I suppose I'm biased because I think the classic spandex designs are perfect, as is.

I never got the feeling that many (if any) of them were actually made from Spandex

As for the designs, I'm old school so I love them too, but a lot of them just don't work with today's ultra detailed modern art styles. And that's kind of how it should be, while there are exceptions, part of the fun of comics is seeing the different changes and new approaches brought on by different eras and influences of different times.